Zoo House Saison and Biere de Garde

[Inkleg]

You will know George, not any time soon, but you will know. Hope it comes out as good as the wort tasted. Added everything in the boil, the sugar and candi syrup in the last 10 minutes. Though I did use your feeding advice for my Quad. It's in bottles just waiting.

There is one of these BdG and the Saison with your name on it as well as Dave's. I'm thinking some time in the spring.

Wyeast says a temperature range of 70-84*. I was going with 68*.....thoughts?

[BigPapaG]

You are too kind Good Sir!

Regarding the temp, I use 68*F much of the year, with peaks into the low to mid seventies with very good results for most ale yeasts.

This year my BDG went too high and I believe got a bit fusel... Time will tell.

[mashani]

I've never used that yeast, so I don't know if it's going to get mad a couple degrees to low or be fine. My bet is fine (edit: since you pitched a good sized starter), but I dunno.

[Inkleg]

You are too kind Good Sir!

It's the least I can do for the information you have provided. I'll try one first (just to make sure there're not toxic, of course).

Have my controller set to 19*c, which means it should go no higher than 67*. Pitched at 4:30pm at 18.4* and I'm just waiting.

You have a stake in this too Dave, as you'll be receiving one, so all input is crucial.

[BigPapaG]

I've never used that yeast, so I don't know if it's going to get mad a couple degrees to low or be fine. My bet is fine (edit: since you pitched a good sized starter), but I dunno.

Wyeat 3725 isn't known for being sluggish so running it a bit cooler should work...

As with all things yeast, it's a balancing act between esters and phenols... So if it climbs into the low 70's, that's good too... Then just settle it back into 68 if you wish...

[Brewbirds]

Wow that is a beautiful color and I've never seen a hydro sample that clear. I bet that is going to be a great beer.

[Inkleg]

Thanks BB, I whirlpool the pot and let it sit at least 20 minutes before siphoning to the fermenter.
It was going thump-thump-thump in the blow off jar when I fed the Zoo at 5:30 this morning.

[mashani]

It was going thump-thump-thump in the blow off jar when I fed the Zoo at 5:30 this morning.

Sexy!

[Inkleg]

WOW, I just tried the Zoo House Saison that was bottled on 11-23-13. It is everything I was hoping for. Nice tart, dry, hay/barnyard with a slight pepper finish. Going to bottle the BdG tomorrow and have no doubt that it will be just as great. The carbonation level is good at approx. 2.8, but I think higher might be better. Thank you Dave and George for the input on these. Going to check BeerSmith and see if I can do 10 gallons BIAB of the Saison next time.

Zoo House Saison.JPG (104.61 KiB) Viewed 952 times

[BigPapaG]

Looks great man!

[mashani]

That looks awesome. And when it comes to these things I always say don't fear the carb as long as your bottles can handle it. As far as I'm concerned for all things Belgian or FrancoBelgian you can ignore BJCP's carb guidelines. (or most any of the rest of their guidelines too).

Glad this worked out and glad if I helped in any way.

[Inkleg]

An update on the BdG that was bottled on 12-22-13. It's still a little early at 9.8%, but had to try one. There's some alcohol heat to it this young, but the flavor is pretty damn good.
I've got enough beer brewed to let this one sit for 6-8 months and not think about it.

Dave and George thanks again for the help with these two beers. A PM will be coming when to expect beer mail.
In fact I'm going to enter the Saison in the Suwannee Beer Festival in a few days. I think it's that good and what some honest feed back. I may enter the BdG, just to see how it scores. The judging is late next month and it may still be to young, so we'll see.

Zoo House BdG.JPG (78.19 KiB) Viewed 934 times

[mashani]

I'm really happy your beers turned out nice.